by Adeniyi Abdul

The Nigeria Union of Teachers has warned that it will embark on an indefinite strike if the new Teachers Enhanced Salary Structure (TESS) is not implemented. The president of the body, Comrade Michael Olukoya stated that the impending industrial action was as a result of the failure of the government to fully implement the 27. 5% increase in salaries as agreed.

He also revealed that the strike was supposed to commence in 11 states on the 23rd of July, but it had been postponed to September to enable students take their examinations. The states supposed to take part in the strike are Cross River, Kastina, Lagos, Delta, Ogun, Ekiti, Kogi, Abia, Enugu, Eboyi, and Nasarawa.

“Ordinarily the strike should have started about two weeks ago but it was shelved,” Olukoya said, speaking to newsmen in Abuja on Saturday.

“We are not trouble shooters. We do not take joy in causing crisis in the education sector. More so, we are aware that was a period for exams and vacation and we conceded and allowed time for more dialogue.

“As I am talking to you we have resolved that we still have about 11 states that are refusing to honour the agreement. The stand of the NUT is that we want to appeal to the governor’s forum to intervene in this matter because it is an issue that has been dragging on for quite a long time.

“If this matter drags on till September when the new session resumes, students might resume without teachers in the 11 states that are affected. Enough is enough.”